Scavengers as Prospective Sentinels of Viral Diversity: the Snowy Sheathbill Virome as a Potential Tool for Monitoring Virus Circulation, Lessons from Two Antarctic Expeditions

Zamora, Gabriel; Aguilar Pierlé, Sebastian; Loncopan, Johana; Araos, Loreto; Verdugo, Francisco; Rojas-Fuentes, Cecilia; Krüger, Lucas; Gaggero, Aldo; Barriga, Gonzalo P.

doi:10.1128/spectrum.03302-22

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…While geographically isolated, several Antarctic seabird species routinely range between the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean, visiting the South American coast to either forage or overwinter 26 . Brown skuas ( Stercorarius antarcticus ), kelp gulls ( Larus dominicanus ), southern giant petrel ( Macronectes giganteus ), and snowy sheathbills ( Chionis albus ) have previously been identified as potential vectors of infectious pathogens into this vulnerable ecosystem due to their migratory traits, scavenging behaviour, and previously identified roles as carriers of low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (LPAIV) 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 . Evidence of low pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV) in the Antarctic region was first detected from serological studies in the 1980s 35, 36, 37 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection and spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 in the Antarctic Region

Bennison,

Byrne,

Reid

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The Antarctic is the only major geographical region in which high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) has never previously been detected. The current panzootic of H5N1 HPAIV has decimated wild bird populations across Europe, North America and South America. Here we report on the emergence of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands respectively. We initially detected H5N1 HPAIV in samples collected from brown skuas at Bird Island, South Georgia on 8thOctober 2023. Since this detection, increased mortalities were observed in brown skuas, kelp gulls, elephant seals and fur seal at multiple sites across South Georgia. We confirmed H5N1 HPAIV in multiple brown skuas and kelp gulls across four different sampling locations in South Georgia. Simultaneously, we also confirmed H5N1 HPAIV in a southern fulmar in the Falkland Islands. Genetic assessment of the virus indicates spread from South America, likely through movement of migratory birds. Here we describe the emergence, species impact and genetic composition of the virus and propose both introductory routes and potential long-term impact on avian and mammalian species across the Antarctic region.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection and spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 in the Antarctic Region

Bennison,

Byrne,

Reid

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Pathogens carrying large amounts of VFGs that are widespread in animal intestines would pose a threat to public health. Through the analysis of PHI database, we also found some key pathogens and corresponding hosts in the gut microbial communities of Himalayan griffons, which pointed out the direction for monitoring the transmission of pathogens of associated with this bird species in the future ( 86 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Metagenomic comparison of gut communities between wild and captive Himalayan griffons

Wang,

Zhai,

Tang

et al. 2024

Front. Vet. Sci.

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IntroductionHimalayan griffons (Gyps himalayensis), known as the scavenger of nature, are large scavenging raptors widely distributed on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and play an important role in maintaining the balance of the plateau ecosystem. The gut microbiome is essential for host health, helping to maintain homeostasis, improving digestive efficiency, and promoting the development of the immune system. Changes in environment and diet can affect the composition and function of gut microbiota, ultimately impacting the host health and adaptation. Captive rearing is considered to be a way to protect Himalayan griffons and increase their population size. However, the effects of captivity on the structure and function of the gut microbial communities of Himalayan griffons are poorly understood. Still, availability of sequenced metagenomes and functional information for most griffons gut microbes remains limited.MethodsIn this study, metagenome sequencing was used to analyze the composition and functional structures of the gut microbiota of Himalayan griffons under wild and captive conditions.ResultsOur results showed no significant differences in the alpha diversity between the two groups, but significant differences in beta diversity. Taxonomic classification revealed that the most abundant phyla in the gut of Himalayan griffons were Fusobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes_A, Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, and Campylobacterota. At the functional level, a series of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) functional pathways, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) categories, virulence factor genes (VFGs), and pathogen-host interactions (PHI) were annotated and compared between the two groups. In addition, we recovered nearly 130 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs).DiscussionIn summary, the present study provided a first inventory of the microbial genes and metagenome-assembled genomes related to the Himalayan griffons, marking a crucial first step toward a wider investigation of the scavengers microbiomes with the ultimate goal to contribute to the conservation and management strategies for this near threatened bird.

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“…Among wild birds, gammacoronavirus is the predominant type of CoV, which is followed by deltacoronavirus [53]. Notably, a potential species of deltacoronavirus has been observed in healthy Antarctic penguins [54,55]. Although this virus does not induce illness, its presence in these penguins underscores the extensive geographical coronaviruses of this type.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Associated with Scientific Stations in Antarctica and Possible Risk for Wildlife

González-Aravena,

Galbán-Malagón,

Castro-Nallar

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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Before December 2020, Antarctica had remained free of COVID-19 cases. The main concern during the pandemic was the limited health facilities available at Antarctic stations to deal with the disease as well as the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Antarctic wildlife through reverse zoonosis. In December 2020, 60 cases emerged in Chilean Antarctic stations, disrupting the summer campaign with ongoing isolation needs. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the wastewater of several scientific stations. In Antarctica, treated wastewater is discharged directly into the seawater. No studies currently address the recovery of infectious virus particles from treated wastewater, but their presence raises the risk of infecting wildlife and initiating new replication cycles. This study highlights the initial virus detection in wastewater from Antarctic stations, identifying viral RNA via RT-qPCR targeting various genomic regions. The virus’s RNA was found in effluent from two wastewater plants at Maxwell Bay and O’Higgins Station on King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, respectively. This study explores the potential for the reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to Antarctic wildlife due to the direct release of viral particles into seawater. The implications of such transmission underscore the need for continued vigilance and research.

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Scavengers as Prospective Sentinels of Viral Diversity: the Snowy Sheathbill Virome as a Potential Tool for Monitoring Virus Circulation, Lessons from Two Antarctic Expeditions

Abstract: This article describes whole-virome and targeted viral surveillance for coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses, and influenza viruses in snowy sheathbills from the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland. Our results suggest an important role of this species as a sentinel for this region.

Cited by 7 publications

References 47 publications

Detection and spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 in the Antarctic Region

Detection and spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus H5N1 in the Antarctic Region

Metagenomic comparison of gut communities between wild and captive Himalayan griffons

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Associated with Scientific Stations in Antarctica and Possible Risk for Wildlife

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